for now I think i agree with the original poster. But in the big picture, for such a young hobby I dont think we can assign anything just yet. For the current time frame, I might say golden age would be the current age. As a comic book collector i can only compare. Video games are currently crossing over from the arcades into the homes of most everybody. Alot of people credit HALO as bringing gameing to the mainstream masses, the frat boys, the collage students. Also WoW has brouhgt people to gameing that wouldnt probebly be here. I guess it comes down to how you define the "golden age". Generally in my mind its when the something changes over from being for the collector/hardcore to mom and dad, and others who normaly wouldnt spend time with it. It is also when (only time will tell) certian "ICON" type products are released/made. To me it was the late 70's mid 80's, say 75-85, but (again compareing to comic books) how many people have played PAC-MAN, DIG DUG, ASTEROIDS (just to name a couple)? Many of the current gen may not even know of them. But Supermand and Batman, both considered golden age characters, we all know them, heck even other countries have versions. Now thing video games. Who hasnt heard of WoW, Halo, bejeweled, the Wii? I think its to early (argubly only about 40 years, yes much longer when you look at the "firsts") to set it in the early days. Much like comics, i dont think video games have hit the golden age, but it does seem we may be starting it. I supose one could argue in the 80's everybody knew who pacman was, etc... I do think most would today, but how many have seen an actual pacman screen (a classic collection or other)? I guess if Superman started in the golden age for comics, then would have Space Invaders started in the golden age of video games? or would it be the VCS 2600? Pacman? While all those brought the public in, it was still a nitch thing. Again, by going by comics as a guide (probebly a poor comparasion), I would almost say Wii Sports would be the game (while I personly think Wii games are very poor represtnation of the video game, it has struck a cord). I think up to now .. 20 million sales (Mario games) for home use was KING, but many places state Wii sports is in the mid 40 million area. So from a pure sales point we are currently in the Golden age, Sims in the mid teens, Wii games hitting mid teens, Halo games in the 8 million area each (to keep it in perspective, the best seller on the 2600 was Pac man at 7 million (wow, how many where bought for $5 I wonder?), Nintendo was Super mario brothes ins the 40 million area, (and again wow, the mario games have sold a boat load, all of them!!!) then there is the Wii, currently seems to have several 20 million sellers (most of them wii sports, wii fit, wii play) some of the Wii numbers are probebly a bit deceptive as WiiPlay comes with the extra wand, so are they counting that for sales too?
TO me the golden age is the age where they do the best, as in the most people play, know, enjoy them. It also iw when something comes that changes the face of it, gets people who wouldnt pay attention to look. that to me would be the Wii. I think my assesment is with everything from day one to today, i would say the golden age started when the Wii came out.
Sad thing is i still think the Wii is a fad (as well as natal and the sony sex toy looking thing)
for now I think i agree with the original poster. But in the big picture, for such a young hobby I dont think we can assign anything just yet. For the current time frame, I might say golden age would be the current age. As a comic book collector i can only compare. Video games are currently crossing over from the arcades into the homes of most everybody. Alot of people credit HALO as bringing gameing to the mainstream masses, the frat boys, the collage students. Also WoW has brouhgt people to gameing that wouldnt probebly be here. I guess it comes down to how you define the "golden age". Generally in my mind its when the something changes over from being for the collector/hardcore to mom and dad, and others who normaly wouldnt spend time with it. It is also when (only time will tell) certian "ICON" type products are released/made. To me it was the late 70's mid 80's, say 75-85, but (again compareing to comic books) how many people have played PAC-MAN, DIG DUG, ASTEROIDS (just to name a couple)? Many of the current gen may not even know of them. But Supermand and Batman, both considered golden age characters, we all know them, heck even other countries have versions. Now thing video games. Who hasnt heard of WoW, Halo, bejeweled, the Wii? I think its to early (argubly only about 40 years, yes much longer when you look at the "firsts") to set it in the early days. Much like comics, i dont think video games have hit the golden age, but it does seem we may be starting it. I supose one could argue in the 80's everybody knew who pacman was, etc... I do think most would today, but how many have seen an actual pacman screen (a classic collection or other)? I guess if Superman started in the golden age for comics, then would have Space Invaders started in the golden age of video games? or would it be the VCS 2600? Pacman? While all those brought the public in, it was still a nitch thing. Again, by going by comics as a guide (probebly a poor comparasion), I would almost say Wii Sports would be the game (while I personly think Wii games are very poor represtnation of the video game, it has struck a cord). I think up to now .. 20 million sales (Mario games) for home use was KING, but many places state Wii sports is in the mid 40 million area. So from a pure sales point we are currently in the Golden age, Sims in the mid teens, Wii games hitting mid teens, Halo games in the 8 million area each (to keep it in perspective, the best seller on the 2600 was Pac man at 7 million (wow, how many where bought for $5 I wonder?), Nintendo was Super mario brothes ins the 40 million area, (and again wow, the mario games have sold a boat load, all of them!!!) then there is the Wii, currently seems to have several 20 million sellers (most of them wii sports, wii fit, wii play) some of the Wii numbers are probebly a bit deceptive as WiiPlay comes with the extra wand, so are they counting that for sales too?
TO me the golden age is the age where they do the best, as in the most people play, know, enjoy them. It also iw when something comes that changes the face of it, gets people who wouldnt pay attention to look. that to me would be the Wii. I think my assesment is with everything from day one to today, i would say the golden age started when the Wii came out.
Sad thing is i still think the Wii is a fad (as well as natal and the sony sex toy looking thing)